A massive explosion at a military explosives plant in central Tennessee has left no survivors, according to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis. The blast occurred on Friday morning and was felt miles away. At least 18 people were missing after the explosion, which also damaged an entire building on the plant’s campus.
The recovery effort is being made more complicated by the presence of ordnance at the site. Investigators are using cell phone technology to try to figure out what happened during the blast. Melissa Dawn Stanford, a 53-year-old production supervisor, is believed to have died in the explosion. Her niece has expressed her devastation and asked for prayers as her family tries to cope with the tragedy.
The plant, which employs around 80 people, makes high explosive compositions for the US military and industrial markets. The facility is located in a remote area and was previously involved in a deadly blast in 2014 that killed one worker and injured four others.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/11/us/tennessee-explosion-military-accurate-energetic-systems-wwk-hnk